It's no stretch at all to say that, were the Buddha born in, say, New Jersey 35 years ago and teaching now he'd certainly not be spending (wasting) time describing the arrangement of realms, heavens, nor would he be discussing the various realms in the same terms, nor would nagas be found slithering on a stash of liberative teachings. His presentation would be relevant to people living in New Jersey in 2011; it would address their concerns, their anxieties, their needs, the possiblity of ultimate happiness for them.